Motorcycle Training Forum

[smurfy]

remember me?

well I've been over in the USA for 2 months now and now have a bike license! Yipee! The roads are so wide even I can manage to u turn!

Still trying to find somewhere that sells something other than Harleys though

I almost bought a 250 the other day until I worked out how much the insurance was - going to have to save a few more pennies before I can afford to run any bike I buy And it won't cost me any more to insure a bigger bike so probably going to get that cbr600 I want so much.

Seriously missing watching the bike racing though.

Fiona

[yorkie 1200]

Hi fiona
Happy that you got your license 'Well done '

Whats the testing system like compaired to ours !

Glad your keeping ok

[smurfy]

the test was dead easy - the most basic theory test and then a skills test which is basically the cbt but dumbed down - a lot

having said that, you aren't allowed to apply for your learners permit unless you have a full car license - bit scarey to think that once you get your permit (that is, you've done the theory part of the test) you're allowed to ride whatever you want - you just can't take passengers without doing the skills test

finding anything smaller than a 600 is quite hard though

the hardest part for me was also a problem for driving the car and that was just being in the right position on the road - you would be amazed at how disorienting it can be having to ride on the "wrong" side of the road

one thing I have noticed is that its generally a lot safer to ride over here - car drivers do actually watch out for you and there's usually a lot of space between you and the rest of the traffic - you do have to watch out for the bad road surfacing though because they don't really maintain roads very well

[fuse]

good te hear you have passed it

I actually find it much easier to ride/drive on the right hand side of the road, it just seems more natural to me. Anyway you will get used to it in time, everytime ive seen bikes in the US its always been harley's and choppers in general - very few sportsbikes at all.

That and their dodgy laws that let you ride without even a helmet on (well in some states)

[smurfy]

I'm in a helmet wearing state - but its quite ok to go out in shorts, t-shirt and flip flops

as for style of bikes, well I'm in North Carolina so lots and lots of choppers - but a fair few sports bikes too if you know where to look - the north west is where you will find the majority of sports bike riders though

still it's nice to be able to report that bikers the world over are wonderful people

oh and I've found a female only club too - and all the ladies ride sports bikes